Honoring dispatchers
Gary Smith, Emporia police chie
Saturday, April 11, 2009
APRIL 11 through the 16th is National Telecommunicator’s Week.
It is intended to recognize the heroic efforts of dispatchers throughout the United States. Emporia is fortunate to have a group of professional, dedicated members of our communications team.
Dispatchers have a special place in my heart because one introduced me to my wife 27 years ago.
Dispatchers deal with and manage all the stress, drama and fear that officers and firefighters deal with but don’t have the luxury of “working off” the stress by fighting the bad guys, driving the cars fast saving lives and putting out fires. They have to sit there and move on to the next crisis.
There is always that fear that the next call could be someone you know or love. The next call could change your life forever.
Dispatchers deal with the egos of cops and firefighters, tirades of angry citizens, and serve as part time counselors to troubled officers and the public. They do all this on 8, 10 or 12 hours shifts, with few breaks, and a rushed lunch that usually gets cold before they eat it. They know their work hours will change quarterly, their sleep patterns are virtually non-existent and they still manage to be a husband, wife, parent, son or daughter to someone somewhere.
Dispatchers are the calm in the storm, the promised rainbow after the torrent and the promise to embattled people that things will get better.
Emporians can sleep well knowing that Krystee, Amy, Juana, Josh, Debbie, Dana, Roxie, Sarah, Tracy and Lindsey are on the job.
Gary Smith
Emporia police chief
jmb232 (anonymous) says...
These folks don't get enough recognition. They are really the un-seen heros of law enforcement, fire and medical services.
They take the calls that not many want to take and have to get precise information to pass on to the police, firefighters and medics. A lot of this information can make the difference
between life and death. The safety of the persons in the field and the person calling are always foremost on their mind.
It takes a very special person to do this job. Thanks!
April 11, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthinkin (anonymous) says...
I appreciate the dispatchers and the job they do...... it very often does go unappreciated and under-rewarded. I think that is evident that, apparently, it is a difficult position to keep filled. How many times a year does the City advertise openings.... it seems like a lot, and I think that should say something.
April 11, 2009 at 7:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slh (anonymous) says...
I think there are a few dispatcher's names that are missing, and those are the ones that work for the Sheriff's Department. It's important to remember these individuals as well: Nancy, Brenda, Ron, Cindy, Wanda, Sue, Sharina, and Mark. I don't think people realize how much dispatchers actually do, and ALL dispatchers deserve the recognition. Thanks for everything you do, guys and gals! If Emporia and Lyon County only knew how much you really go through during your shift, then I think some people would show a little more respect! It's not a job that just anyone can do--it takes someone special!
April 12, 2009 at 12:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weltha (anonymous) says...
Good job and thank you for your service. AWeltha
April 12, 2009 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
just_another_reader (anonymous) says...
There are also dispatchers at ESU that deserved to be recognized.
April 12, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
I agree Chief Smith forgot some names, and the SO and ESU dispatchers should have been included as well. They have a most stressful job when things are going bad. I have sat behind the microphone at the SO myself and experienced hot calls. The dispatchers do a wonderful job, thanks PD, SO, ESUPD folks!
April 12, 2009 at 6:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
I would assume each department recognizes their own dispatchers, perhaps the sheriff's office and ESU folks are just waiting for later in the week to recognize their employees.
April 12, 2009 at 10:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...
Did anyone happen to read the story
http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/20...
Doesnt sound like the police and/or dispatchers really did such a bang up job.
April 13, 2009 at 9:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
Before you hang them out to dry, why don't you all get the facts? Why would you just assume that the single perspective given here is correct? The sooner the call goes to the police, the sooner they can respond. I was out there at the time that call happened and there were cops everywhere and I believe they arrested someone too.
April 13, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zeus (anonymous) says...
Maybe the Lyon County dispatchers didn't get the credit they deserve the way Chief Smith did for his dispatchers for other reasons. Maybe the Undersheriff had other important things to do such as implement proactive law enforcement tactics with his investigations dept. lol. Maybe he was worried the number of tickets written to Lyon Co. residents was down and needed to go up. Maybe he was to busy trying to create a diverse work environment at the Sheriff's Dept. lol. Or maybe he was just wondering what was for lunch!
April 13, 2009 at 6:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
I found this post on a news post.
Posted by moderator (anonymous) on April 13, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
From Emporia Police Chief Gary Smith:
To clarify a posting regarding the Dog near Seventh Street discussion by "Create" on April 11 at 8:10 a.m., one of our dispatchers read the posting and was concerned about what she perceived as a strong misrepresentation of the facts. In researching the call, and listening to the call and radio recording I would agree with our dispatchers. While our dispatcher was on the phone with the caller, she dispatched the animal control officer who arrived at the scene within 6 minutes and picked up one of the dogs involved. I'd be happy to let anyone listen to the recording that would so care to do so or look at the time printouts. The call came in at 9:25:12, the officer responded at 9:26:40 and the officer arrived at 9:32:28. She had the pit bull confined at 9;43:08.
Our dispatchers and animal control officers take great pride in their work and do the very best that they can. At present, we have one animal control officer. Our officers respond when possible to any call where the caller specifically states that the dog is vicious and has tried to attack or appears ready to attack someone.
We are taking a very aggressive position on citing individuals who allow their dogs to run at large. If there is a message here, it would be that individuals who choose to own an animal have an obligation to keep their dogs and cats restrained and not allowed to roam.
The other call was regarding the crime of the week where a posting stated the officer "blew them off." In reviewing the recording of that call, the callers were very difficult to understand as they were yelling into their cell phones and there was a lot of background noise. Despite that, officers were detailed immediately. This matter commanded the attention of two dispatchers for a period of time. The officer was dispatched 15:29:41. The first officer arrived at 15:43:04. Officers canvassed the area and met with one reporting party. According to the call, by 15:56:28, the officers were enroute to Lyon County Jail with one person in custody. The total number of officers committed were 4 officers which was 2 short of our entire shift for that time of day. The total amount of time committed to the call started at 15:39:41 and ran until 16:09:12.
Gary Smith
Emporia (KS) Police Chief
April 13, 2009 at 11:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )